Lasting-machine



4 sheets-smet 1.

(No nodal.)

N. LOMBARD. LASTING' MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 14; 1894.

WTA/55555 (No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 2.-

4 N; LOMBARD.'

LASTING MACHINE.

No. 524,445. `14411414444 Aug; l14, 1894.

(No maal.) 4 sheets-sheet '3.

N. LOMBARD.`

m wams FEVER; oo. mcmurnc. WASHINGTON. u. c,

(No model.) 4 sheets-sheet 4.

N. LOMBARD. LASTING MACHINE. No. 524,445. Patented Aug.v 14, 1894.

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` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NATHANIEL LOMBARD, OF BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB. TO THE AUTOMATIC LASTING MACHINE ANDMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF

PORTLAND, MAINE.

LASTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,445, dated August14, 1894. Application filed November 10,1893. Serial No. 490,580. (Nomodel.) i i .To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL LOMBARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, ln the county of Sutolk and State of Mas-`sachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHeel-Lasting Machines; andI do hereby declare the following to he afulhclear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figuresof reference 'marked thereon, which form a part of this specilication.

This invention relates to lasting machines particularly that portionwhich includes mechanism for operating upon the heel upper andcomprising the several acts of drawing the upper snugly about the last,and crimplug and folding it down upon the insole.

My invention in brief consists in a sliding heel carriage upon which aremounted the various elements, which when assembled constitute themachine, as an entirety.

The primary features consist in a rocking cylinder adapted to swing inline with thelongitudinal axis of the last, and likewise in a pistonadapted for reciprocating and oscillating movement within the cylinder.Said piston 1s furnished with folding wipers and these are controlled bythe same lever by which the various motions are imparted to the-piston.

Furthermore my invention is embodied in the employment of a pair oflast-holding devices by which the last proper is supported along thequarter and in a sliding plate fitted with a exible clamping band fortemporarily secu ring the heel portion of the upper against the last.

One of the most important and characteristie features in my presentinvention comprises mechanism for automatically adjusting the positionof the wipers to the varying contours of the heels of boots or shoes,since it is necessary that said wipers shall approximately coincide withtheheel at all points, when contiguous thereto, and just prior to theact of lasting the heel portion. This mechanism in brief consists in avariable stop or bolt, which is changed in position dependent upon thesize ot the last entered for lasting. Furthermore this stop controls andregulates the distance of the table from the heel portion of the last,after the flexible clamping band isset tightly against the heel. Hence,as the distance of the carriage and the wipers are nearer or fartherfrom the heel, so are the wipers less contracted or more contracted atthe time they touch the heel in readiness to perform their duty,sincethe piston must be moved to bring the wipers about the heel,` and suchmovement acts to fold them toward each other. This mechanism moreparticularly and in detail consists of a bolt which is positionedtransversely on the movable table in the rearv ot the last and isarranged to engage a plate with a notched edge obliquely of the bolt.Moreover this plate carries the fiexible clamping band and slides to andfro with respect to the heel in alignment with the longitudinal axis ofthe last. Thus it will be understood that the distance between thelastholding devices controls the inward or outward movement ot the bolt,while the position ot' the latter regulates the throw of the table withrespect to the flexible clamp. Hence, the table is stopped in someinstances sooner than in others and as a result the piston has a greaterdistance to travel before the Wipers reach the heel; consequently thewipers are contracted to a greater extent and are thus adapted to tit asmall heel, conversely with a larger heel. Since the position of thebolt is changed for different sizes of shoes, it is evident thatthe'wipers are automatically adjusted for each and every size.

The drawings accompanying this specification represent in Figure l aside elevation of heel-lasting mechanism embodying my inven- Fig. 2 is aplan showing the Iiexible tion. clamping band against the heel with theWipers retracted. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the wipers in readinessto advance over the heel. Fig. 4L is a vertical section on line :t a: ihFig. 8. Fig. 5 is a plan ot' the machine with the wipers removed showingthe transverse bolt and notched plate for automaticallyadjusting theposition of the wipers. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the changesrelatively of the several parts when lasting a small IOO shoe. Fig. 7yis an end elevation of the machine. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectionon line y y in Fig.\2. Fig. 9 shows the'normal position of the bolt andnotched plate prior to clamping the flexible band against the heel.

In said drawings 2 represents the main standard or frame of the machinefitted with an upright post 3 and asliding carriage upon which'aremounted the principal operating elements. Said carriage consists of abase and a vertical end piece 4 which engage the standard, while a topplate or table 5 is positioned above and united thereto by pivotalsupports 6 6. Furthermore an adjusting screw-threaded sleeve 7 servestol give the proper angle to said table 5 with respect to the last.Mounted upon the table 5 and pivoted at S is a cylinder 9 adapted torock in a plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the last;swinging of the cylinder is produced by aid of the lever 12 which raisesor lowers the free end. A piston at 10V is contained within the cylinderand by means of the operating lever 12 may be caused to reciprocate oroscillate as circumstances require. The cylinder and table 5move inunison toward or away from the last, and such movement is efected withthe lever-12 and a spring-actuated pawl 13 which engages said cylinder.y'Ihe purpose of the swinging motion of the cylinder is to raise orlower the wipers with respect to the top of the heel, and the spring atthe end of the -lever 18 serves to force the wipers against said heelAand break and flatten down the upper. A

toothed rod 14 serves to lock the table 5 in proper position by aid ofthe stop 15, while disengagement of the two is effected by the pistonwhich is rocked slightly to operate a latch 16, see Fig. 7, and separatethe rod 14 from the stop, and so permit the table 5 to slide back.

Change in the position of the entire carriage is eected by the agency ofthe'screw rod 17 and after said carriage has once been positioned, so itcontinues for the same size of shoe. In connection with the act oflasting I provide two lateral last-holding devices 19 adapted to gripthe upper at or near the quarter and these devices likewise clamp thecounter at its corners, said devices being .loosely hung upon a pin 20,see Fig. 4, furnished with a coiled spring in order to provide forvariable adjustment of said devices to allow them to yield as theflexible clamp thrusts the last forward until the toe meets the stop.This obviates the restrictions of a rigid joint which otherwise mightcausefolds in the leather. From the lever bar 21 of one of these holdingdevices and adjustably secured thereto is a rod 23 which is parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the last and projects through a hollowrectangular box 24 bolted to the table 5 of the carriage. Transverselyof this rod is secured a bolt 25 which is contained Within the box,

the rod 23 sliding freely kthrough said bolt. From the above descriptionof said elements it will be evident that according to the movement ofthelast-holding devices 19 toward or from each other, so will the bolt 25approach or recede from the median line or a plane coincident with thelongitudinalV axis of the last. Hence the extremity of the bolt ispositioned in accordance with the size of the last and is changed in orout from the Vmedian line according to the size of shoe introducedbetween the last-holding devices.

. In the act of lasting the heel of a boot or shoe it has been customaryto employ a ilexible clamp, such as is shown at 26, see Figs.5 and 6. Inthe present instancethe ends of this clamp are secured to similar arms27 affixed to a sliding plate 28, this latter being contained lwithinthe box 24 before mentioned. One side of the plate is formed with a Vnotch while one edge of said notch is toothed or serrated at 29 to serveas variable contact points for the bolt 25. Normally said plate is heldin a forward position or adin order to give free play to the movement ofthe bolt within the box when the last is introduced.

. To seize the edge of the heel upper and force and fold it over theinsole, Wipers 30 are likewise provided,these, as shown in Figs. 1 and4, are positioned somewhat above the flexible clamp; their center ofmotion is the pointl, while the Wipers consist of curved jaws theirexterior rear curved peripheries being toothed as shown. In order toimpart a scissor-like wiping motion to these instrumentalities atransverse arm 34 is secured upon the piston and at each end is mounteda revoluble pinion 35, these latter meshing in racks 36 which form partsof a yoke 37. This yoke is made fast to the cylinder hencereciprocations of the piston cause rotation of the pinions, and an openand shut movement of the wipers is effected. The yoke is connected tothe piston by a pin 38, while the piston is slotted, and thus the yokemay be rocked while the piston can reciprocate freely through it.

In connection with the movement of the wipers and the adjustableposition of the bolt 25 dependent upon the size of the last is embodiedthe chief and most characteristic feature of my invention, whereby therelative position of the wipers is automatically regulated, andconsequently such, when in readiness to pass over the leather of theupper, are practically of the same conformation as the contour of theheel. In other words they will touch the heel at all points and such adjustment is effected when the wipers approach the heel, the space betweensaid wipers being increased or diminished according to the size of thelast then just entered for the purposes of lasting. I shall now explainthis adjustment more fully, reference being had particularly to Figs. 2,3, 5, 6,and 9.

rvanced toward the last, see Fig. 9, by a spring ICO iio5

IIO

Itis to be understood that the position of the last-holding devices 19and the rod 23 together with the inner extremity of the bolt 25 arepractically tlxed points for eachsize of shoe. Further that the box 24is fastened to the table 5 of the carriage, Whilethewipers are free toreciprocate above. `premises I will say that the last in Fig. 5 isplaced in position and the holding devices 19 brought tightlythereagainst thus adjusting the bolt to the position shown. Moreover theplate 28 is in the position shown in` Fig. 9 the flexible clamp 26 notbeing in contact with the heel. This plate has free independent movementot its own although it moves with the carriage. The handle l2 is nowgrasped,

`the catch 13 moves to interlock with the cyl-A inder, and the table 5and all the elements thereupon are advanced, 'this includes thecylinder, piston, box 24, the bolt 25 and the plate 2S with the clampingband 2G, as likewise the wipers. This upper part of the carriage ortable 5 swings now upon the arms 6 6 until the band 26 contacts againstthe heel, when the plate 28 becomes stationary, while the said table 5,bolt 25, and the 'bther cooperating elements still advance, the boltengaging the serrated edge and forcing the plate 28 and band 2,6 tightlyagainst the heel. The table 5 of the carriage is now locked in positionby means of the toothed bar 14 and stop l5 while the act of lastingnowis to take v place. The operator is then in readiness to release thecatch 13 from the cylinder, and this done he proceeds to move thepiston, and this agent now acts to cause the wipers to close together byaid of the pinions and the toothed racks. Oscillating movement may alsobe given to cause the wipers to break and flatten down the upper uponthe insole.

This oscillation affects the piston, wipers and i their actuatingelements, to wit:-the pinions and toothed racks, the latter forming partof the yoke 37.

From the above description it will be observed that the wipers do notadvance and consequently do not change their position relatively to eachother until the clamping band 26 is firmly locked against the heel. Thisforcing home of the band 26 will, it is seen, take place at differenttimes consequent upon the position of the bolt 25 with respect to theserrated edge 29 of the plate 28. That is, in some instances when theshoe is small, the bolt, extending farther in, will engage the platesooner, the result being that the carriage and wipers arenotv permittedto ad- Vance so near to the heel, as when a'larger shoe is in process.But inasmuch as the Wipers are farther from the heel in a small shoe thepiston is required to travel alonger distance and thus the wipers aremore contracted whenthey reach the heel than when a larger size shoe isin process. In thelatter example the bolt being more retracted thecarriage, wipers and piston' are allowed to ap' proach nearer the heelandare closer to the With these heel at the time the bolt engages theplate 28 which act serves to set the band 26 firmly against the heel.Hence it will be understood that the piston moves only a short distancebefore the wipers reach the upper, as a colisequence they are Widerapart, but in any event they alwaysapproximate in shape the heel to belasted, since the bolt and the serrated edge of the plate 28 areadjusted relatively to produce this result. Hence large or small, narrowor Wide, as the last may be, the wipers are antomatically adjusted toconform to the heel contour when contiguous thereto and this adjustmenttakes place every time a last is entered, since the bolt is advanced orwithdrawn, while the variable stop thus created changes the position ofthe carriage from the heel and the wipers are being adjusted, while thepiston is being advanced; hence they reach the heel in a position whichcauses them to touch at all points of the heel simultaneously. Theadvantages attending this adjustment of the wipers are evident: Allsprings are obviated, While each change is effected positively andwithoutthought from the operator.` `I-Ieretofore the wipers requiredconstant individual attention.

What I claim isl. In alasting machine the combination with a heel-clamp,and lasting wipers, o|:` a bolt for variable adjustment, levers to graspthe last, and `connections from the levers t0 the bolt, wherebyinsertion ot the last between said levers automatically adjusts the boltwhich regulates the movement of the wipers and causes them to reach theheel 1n a more or less contracted position, substantially as and forpurposes explained.

2. In a lasting machine the combination with last-holding levers, and abolt carried thereby, of a notched plate adapted to reciprocate to andfro with respect to the last, a heel clamp affixed to said plate, a pairof folding wipers, and means to bring the bolt against the saidplate andthus regulate the position of the wipers at the time of contact with theheel, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a lasting carriage, a Vpair of folding wipers,and a bolt mounted on the carriage but adjustable transversely to andfro of the median line of the last and regulated by the size of thelast, of a toothed plate independently movable to engage the bolt, apair of folding Wipers, and mechanism to bring the bolt in contact withthe toothed IOO plate to stop the carriage and thus regulate theposition of the wipers when they reach the heel, substantially asdescribed.

4. In combination with lastfholding levers, a Vcarriage to supportlasting appurtenances, a bolt transversely of the last and mounted onsaid carriage, 'a rod extending through said bolt and attached to a lastholding lever, a heel clamp, and a toothed plate, the latter to engagethe bolt which serves as a variable stop for the carriage, substantiallyas specifled.

5. In a lasting machine the combination with a movable carriage, asliding piston thereon, folding wipers actuated by the piston, and abolt adjustable transversely with respect to the last, of apair oflast-holding levers, a rod to connect the bolt therewith, a heel clamp,a spring-actuated toothed plate having independent movement on thecarriage, and means to advance the carriage and cause the bolt to engageythe toothed plate, substantially as set forth.

6. In a lasting machine the combination with a movable carriage, arocking cylinder, a piston to reciprocate therein, and ka pair offolding wi pers actuated by the reciprocations ef the piston, of'asliding plate having move- 'Y ment independent of the carriage, a heelclamp affixed thereto, and a bolt transversely on the carriage andserving to contact with the plate to produce variable throw for thewipers, substantially as explained.

7. In combination with a movable carriage, and stationary last -holdinglevers, a bolt transversely of the last, mechanism interconnecting saidlevers and bolt by which said bolt moves simultaneouslywith saidlevers,` a sliding plate carrying a heel clamp, and

means to cause the bolt to contact with the plate at points varying indistance from the median line of the last to limit the travel of thecarriage toward the heel of the last, sub- Stantially as speciied. 4 8.In a lasting machine a movable tableV means for locking the same, arocking cylinl der, a piston thereon, and a pair of folding wipers atthe extremity of said piston, coml bined with a yoke the arms of whichhavev rack-teeth, revoluble pinions which intercong nect said rack andwipers, and a lever to reciprocate the piston, substantially as statedand set forth. i

9. In alasting machine, a movable carriage, means for moving and lockingthe same, a pair of `folding wipers, a heel-clamp upon the carriage toserveias a stop,.a pairof last-holding levers, and mechanism whichinterconnects the last-holding levers with the heelclamp, and therebylimits the travel of the carriage toward the heel, such travel to bedependent upon the varying width of the last at its point of contactwith the last-holding levers, substantially'as described.

10. In a lasting machine the combination with a sliding carriage, itsupper table 5, the swinging cylinder, and reciprocating piston notchedat one end and furnished with lasting appurtenances at the oppositelend, of a toothed bar, a stop, and a latch which engages the piston andupon oscillation of the piston separates the bar, from the stop torelease the table 5, substantially as explained.

1l. In combination a movable table, a swinging cylinder thereupon, apiston, its lever, means to advanceY the cylinder and piston together orthe piston alone, wipers carried upon and actuated by the piston, atoothed plate movable on the table, and a heel clamp secured to thetoothed plate, together with a bolt carried on the table, and

`means for adj usting the bolt transversely with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the last, said. adjustment to be dependent upon thef width of the shoe then in process of lasting,

substantially as stated.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL LOMBARD.

Witnesses:

H. E. LODGE, FRANCIS C. STANWooD.

